Pressing pad system

ABSTRACT

A pad assembly is adapted to direct heat from a high heat comb to hair and away from a user&#39;s palm. The pad assembly includes an outer cover, having an upper surface and a lower surface. Insulation between the upper surface and the lower surface. A hand strap is covering a portion of the lower surface and configured. The insulation directs heat from the high heat comb toward the hair and away from the user&#39;s palm.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to products for use in straightening hair.

Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, it was difficult to control the correct amount of heat to straighten helical hair without burning the hand of the stylist. A helix is a ribbon-like coil that occupies three-dimensions and is governed by specific trigonometric equations used to describe the length of revolutions and the pitch angle:

X(t)=r cos t

Y(t)=r sin t

Z=ct

Where t=[0,2π], c=constant, r=radius, and 2πc=vertical separation of the loops.

There are different types of helical hair categorized by the vertical separation of a single loop (that is a function of c and, to a lesser extent r). In general, this application is most interested in hair that has at least one loop per inch, though less curly hair could work as well.

SUMMARY

A pad assembly is adapted to direct heat from a high heat comb to hair and away from a user's palm. The pad assembly includes an outer cover, having an upper surface and a lower surface. Insulation between the upper surface and the lower surface. A hand strap is covering a portion of the lower surface and configured. The insulation directs heat from the high heat comb toward the hair and away from the user's palm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a section view of one embodiment of the present invention along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the styling system comprises high heat press comb 70 contacted against pad assembly 10. High heat press comb 70 comprises a ceramic comb attached to a heating element that heats up to about 450 degrees in about 30 seconds. High heat press comb 70 emits heat (Q) as a function of time (dQ/dt). The heat changes the chemical makeup of hair H slightly so that hair H becomes straight. In order to be effective the heat needs to reflect of something that will not burn user U and pad assembly 10 accomplishes this.

Pad assembly 10 has an outer cover that further comprises convex first corner 12 which is immediately adjacent to convex first side 14. Convex first side 14 is immediately adjacent to convex second corner 16. Convex second corner 16 is immediately adjacent to convex second side 18. Convex second side 18 is immediately adjacent to convex third corner 20. Convex third corner 20 is immediately adjacent to convex third side 22. Convex third side 22 is immediately adjacent to convex fourth corner 24. Convex fourth corner 24 is immediately adjacent to convex fourth side 26. Convex fourth side 26 is immediately adjacent to convex first corner 12.

Convex first corner 12 further comprises a convex first corner upper edge and a convex first corner lower edge. The convex first corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex first corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex first side 14 further comprises a convex first side upper edge and a convex first side lower edge. The convex first side upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex first side lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex second corner 16 further comprises a convex second corner upper edge and a convex second corner lower edge. The convex second corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex second corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex second side 18 further comprises a convex second side upper edge and a convex second side lower edge. The convex second side upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex second side lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex third corner 20 further comprises a convex third corner upper edge and a convex third corner lower edge. The convex third corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex third corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex third side 22 further comprises a convex third side upper edge and a convex third side lower edge. The convex third side upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex third side lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex fourth corner 24 further comprises a convex fourth corner upper edge and a convex fourth corner lower edge. The convex fourth corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex fourth corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30.

Convex fourth side 26 further comprises a convex fourth side upper edge and a convex fourth side lower edge. The convex fourth side upper edge is immediately adjacent to upper surface 28. The convex fourth side lower edge is immediately adjacent to lower surface 30. The convex shape of the sides, edges and corners facilitates moving the bristles of the high heat press comb 70 across hair H.

Hand strap 32 is attached to the fourth side 26 just above the convex fourth side lower edge and convex second side 18 just above the second side lower edge. Hand strap 32 is configured to wrap around the back of a hand of human user U such that space exists between the palm of the hand of user. This space enables air A to enter at the wrist of user U and exist between the thumb and first finger of user U. This prevents the palm of user U from sweating while the styling system is in use.

The outer cover must be made of a material that distributes 85 watts per second of energy to hair H. Further the outer cover must remove 85 joules of energy away from the palm of user U so that user U is not burned. Finally, the outer cover cannot flash itself. Therefore the flashpoint should be over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit and the R-value should be at least 3.5. Finally, the fabric should be sufficiently breathable so that the user's palms do not sweat. With those constraints in mind, the inner insulation of pad assembly is now considered. For instance, wool that is sewn but not knitted can be effective. Knitted wool tends to burn.

The insulation comprises first insulation layer 40 immediately adjacent to upper surface 28 and second insulation layer 42. Third insulation layer 44 is immediately adjacent to second insulation layer 42 and fourth insulation layer 46. Fifth insulation layer 48 is immediately adjacent to fourth insulation layer 46 and sixth insulation layer 50. Each insulation layer should be made of a material having an R-value of at least 3.5. For instance, wool batting can meet these requirements when it is at least one inch thick. Preferably, the wool batting would be no more than one inch thick.

In some embodiments, additional insulation layer 60 can be added. Additional layer 60 would be necessary if high heat press comb 70 produced a substantial amount of heat in the range of 150 joules. In this case a much stronger insulator is necessary having an R-value of more than 8. Silver can meet these requirements among other materials.

As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pad assembly adapted to direct heat from a high heat comb to hair and away from a user's palm; the pad assembly comprising: an outer cover, having an upper surface and a lower surface; insulation between the upper surface and the lower surface; a hand strap covering a portion of the lower surface and configured; wherein the insulation directs heat from the high heat comb toward the hair and away from the user's palm.
 2. The pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer cover further comprises: a convex first corner, further comprising a convex first corner upper edge and a convex first corner lower edge; wherein the convex first corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; the convex first corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface; a convex first side further comprises a convex first side upper edge and a convex first side lower edge; wherein the convex first side upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; wherein the convex first side lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface.
 3. The pad assembly of claim 2, wherein the outer cover further comprises: a convex second corner, further comprising a convex second corner upper edge and a convex second corner lower edge; wherein the convex second corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; the convex second corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface; a convex second side further comprises a convex second side upper edge and a convex second side lower edge; wherein the convex second side upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; wherein the convex second side lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface.
 4. The pad assembly of claim 3, wherein the outer cover further comprises: a convex third corner, further comprising a convex third corner upper edge and a convex third corner lower edge; wherein the convex third corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; the convex third corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface; a convex third side further comprises a convex third side upper edge and a convex third side lower edge; wherein the convex third side upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; wherein the convex third side lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface.
 5. The pad assembly of claim 4, wherein the outer cover further comprises: a convex fourth corner, further comprising a convex fourth corner upper edge and a convex fourth corner lower edge; wherein the convex fourth corner upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; the convex fourth corner lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface; a convex fourth side further comprises a convex fourth side upper edge and a convex fourth side lower edge; wherein the convex fourth side upper edge is immediately adjacent to the upper surface; wherein the convex fourth side lower edge is immediately adjacent to the lower surface.
 6. The pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the insulation further comprises: a first insulation layer, immediately adjacent to the upper surface and a second insulation layer.
 7. The pad assembly of claim 6, wherein the insulation further comprises: a third insulation layer, immediately adjacent to the second insulation layer and a fourth insulation layer.
 8. The pad assembly of claim 7, wherein the insulation further comprises a fifth insulation layer, immediately adjacent to a fourth insulation layer and a sixth insulation layer. 